EVERY new racing season brings with it new excitement laced with successes and failures.

The real excitement is to witness the coming of age of a native bred three-year-old thoroughbred considered a worthwhile prospect to contest the age-group Classics.

Irrespective of the price paid at the Yearling Sale or bought or bred privately, the dream of every horseman from owner to stable hand is to have something with Classic potential. Barely three years old around this time of each year these juveniles begin what is considered the litmus test of suitability in talent to be considered among potential candidates for the premier three-year-old Classic races that will begin in April.

As is customary the fillies will take the first bite at Classic season challenge with the 1,000 Guineas and the first prep in that direction takes place today with the running of the $715,000 Eight Thirty Sprint at Caymanas Park.

A maiden special weight event, nine will go postward in the quick dash going 1,000 metres straight.

The Eight Thirty is the principal feature of the two-trophy, 10-race card that is the penultimate call on the local card with a designated post set at approximately 4:45 pm, with first post at 12:45 pm.

The $528,000 James B Dawes Memorial Trophy claiming is the supporting feature on the compact card going 1,300 metres. Seven will run.

With no really outstanding talent in the line-up, the event could produce a real interesting finish between chief pretenders Also Correct, Raeven Renae, Raise Your Voice and Dr Dearest.

There should be little or no surprise from the others, although Sound of Miracle could utter a slight cough in the closing stages.

Realistically, the fight should be between disqualified winner on last, Also Correct, and second best loser on last, Raise Your Voice. Ironically, both are being ridden by the two leading jockeys, Dane Nelson aboard Raise Your Voice for trainer Richard Azan, and Dick Cardenas astride Also Correct for leading trainer Wayne DaCosta, and this is expected to live up to the event’s top billing despite the fact that both have inside draw which is not the best position on the straight course.

Nonetheless, both runners have been prepared well and could be a cut above their other rivals to escape the final rush for the wire with Also Correct getting there just ahead of Raise Your Voice, or vice versa.

Raeven Renae, Shamaree Muir up, who also has a difficult draw at barrier #3 — along with Also Correct at #1, and Raise Your Voice at #4 — has also trained well to put in a good showing.

However, the Nicholas Edwards-trained Dr Dearest, ridden by Doushane Gordon, who could hand the top two their sternest test, especially having worked pretty well in her preparation and with an equipment change that could add to her effectiveness going straight.

Ones To Watch

Race 1 All Correct (Dick Cardenas)

Race 2 Art Of War (Omar Walker)

Race 3 Light Brigade (Shamaree Muir)

Race 4 Sango (Dick Cardenas)

Race 5 Piscean Rocket (Dane Nelson)

Race 6 Without A Trace (Dick Cardenas)

Race 7 New Kingston (Orlando Foster)

Race 8 Enhanced Prosperity (Richard Mitchell)

Race 9 Also Correct (Dick Cardenas)

Race 10 Marine Drive (Dick Cardenas)